President Donald Ramotar lauded Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud as a religious and national leader who is able to blend Guyana’s religious and cultural needs, at birthday celebrations held for him at Shree Krishna Dharmic Mandir on Monday evening.
First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and other well-wishers also participated in the celebrations held at the Parika mandir. The president congratulated Persaud on reaching another milestone and extended gratitude to him for his “outstanding contribution to Guyana’s history,” a Government Information Agency press release said.
Persaud, who is a presidential advisor, is a long time member of the PPP/C and served as a Member of Parliament for the party and also held ministerial portfolios.
“On behalf of the Government, members of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and myself, I wish you a happy birthday… I also congratulate your family for keeping you strong,” Ramotar said. The president noted that the Dharmic Sabha was formed at a critical time in Guyana’s history when there was dearth of dedicated persons who pledged their full support to advancing the country.
“Pandit Persaud and a few others with him, at that crucial time in our country, stood up and was counted as one of the persons who would dedicate their energies to chart the course for a brighter Guyana…this also lead to the formation of the Dharmic Sabha organisation that has served not only Hindus of the country, but to protect and preserve the rich culture that our ancestors brought here, when they came from India…this organisation has now become part of our society and its history is part of the history of this country,” he said.
In the light of this, Ramotar charged the Sabha’s members to record its history, urging them to “start taping Pandit Persaud, his histories, his experiences along with those of others who worked closely with him to carry out the kind of work that is being done today.”
In extending her greetings, the First Lady said she was pleased to attend the function, particularly because of Persaud’s contributions to the nation.
